Title:What Would Jesus Buy? Director: Rob VanAlkemade Release Year: 2007
2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
The film follows Bill Talen, or “Reverend Billy”, and his “Stopping Shopping Choir” across America as they spread their ideas for people to stop over consumption and to avoid all of the problems such as debt, stress, and possible human injuries that result from it. The film argues that because there is much more awareness than there used to be of how wealthy other people are, everyone feels that they have to keep up or surpass the Jones’s. For example, the film argues that advertisers take advantage of the fact the people feel that they are expected to buy their children, family, and friends expensive gifts. Further, the film argues that big businesses such as Walmart are both hurting local economies, over paying CEO’s, and under paying workers from cashiers and stockers to factory workers in other countries.
3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
While the film presents some technical information such as the fact that the total credit card debt in the United States is $2.4 trillion, the film relies almost entirely on the emotions of the audience to convey its message. It uses an unusual combination of comedy, energy, and religion (mostly energy and comedy…) to engage the audience. Reverend Billy and his Stopping Shopping Choir travel across the country using words such as “shopocalypse” and visiting people’s homes, churches, malls, department stores, and theme parks. They perform highly energetic demonstrations that appear religious, but are exaggerated to a point that it is comedic.
4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational? Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
The film draws out the economic problems that result from consumer debt and from large companies forcing smaller companies out of business. Further, it describes the behavioral problems that people have essentially become addicted to shopping. For example, the film uses the frantic shopping and injuries that occur on Black Friday as an example of this addiction to over consumption. People seem to lose common sense in situations like Black Friday. Additionally, the film describes the cultural, social pressures, which are mediated by technology, media, and advertising that are causing people to buy items in greater quantity and items that are more expensive beyond that point at which they can afford it.
5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
The part of the film that I found most persuasive was its description of how people act as though they are addicted to shopping and spend money to the point that they are in extreme debt. In particular, the film blames the widespread use of credit cards and how easy it is for people to spend more money than they have with them. On top of this, the interest that people must pay on this money is very high. This was particularly compelling because the film makes it seem silly that so many people are unable to control themselves.
6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
I was not compelled by the films argument that large companies are hurting poor people working for them in other countries. While they are paid low wages, it is difficult to compare the wages in poor countries to wages in the United States because there is such a significant difference in the amount a dollar can buy. Further, it is likely that the factory workers would be worse off if they did not have a job in the factor. I think the film could have been more persuasive if it had argued that large companies are forcing the poor people to become reliant on the presence of the factory.
7. What audiences does the film best address? Why?
The film best addresses people from small rural towns because they are most likely be religious and to agree with the viewpoints of Billy and his choir. However, the film’s use of comedy significantly expands the audience beyond people are religious. Religion is generally considered a very serious topic, but Billy and his choir take a much more relaxed view of religion and even go the point of poking fun at certain aspects of preachers and church (although this may differ from person to person).
8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
While the film extensively describes the economic, social, and cultural problems that cause and are a result of consumerism, it does not take advantage of the sustainability problems associated with over consumption. The film focuses solely on personal and humanitarian benefits of stopping shopping, but is missing the argument that over-consumption also increases pollution, global warming, and resource scarcity.
9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.
The film itself represents that actions that it suggests must be taken stop over consumption, consumer debt, and large corporations pay workers low wages. It suggests that spreading awareness of these issues will begin to change the way people think about consumerism and will eventually lead to changes in consumer behavior. Specifically, it suggests that this can be done in a way that is funny and engaging while conveying a serious message.
10. What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.)
When the film mentioned that some countries have made it illegal to direct advertising to children under age 12, I wanted to confirm this and learn more about where it has been implemented. The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) has an article called, “Children and Advertising,” that describes the views that various European countries have on advertising directed towards children. Interestingly, while most European countries have some level of regulation, it varies significantly between countries. For example, Sweden has banned all advertisements aimed at children under age 12. In other countries, the regulations vary from limiting what types of advertising is directed to children to the idea that restricting advertising limits democracy and does not prepare children for a consumer society.
Additionally, while I knew the general magnitude of wealth inequality in the Unites States, the film compelled me to learn more about what people think the extent of wealth inequality is in the United States. I found a video made by politizane called, “Wealth Inequality in America.” Not only does it show the true extent of wealth inequality, it also shows how inaccurate America’s perceive this inequality to be.
Thomas Hartmann
March 17, 2014
Word Count: 1133
Title: What Would Jesus Buy?
Director: Rob VanAlkemade
Release Year: 2007
2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
The film follows Bill Talen, or “Reverend Billy”, and his “Stopping Shopping Choir” across America as they spread their ideas for people to stop over consumption and to avoid all of the problems such as debt, stress, and possible human injuries that result from it. The film argues that because there is much more awareness than there used to be of how wealthy other people are, everyone feels that they have to keep up or surpass the Jones’s. For example, the film argues that advertisers take advantage of the fact the people feel that they are expected to buy their children, family, and friends expensive gifts. Further, the film argues that big businesses such as Walmart are both hurting local economies, over paying CEO’s, and under paying workers from cashiers and stockers to factory workers in other countries.
3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
While the film presents some technical information such as the fact that the total credit card debt in the United States is $2.4 trillion, the film relies almost entirely on the emotions of the audience to convey its message. It uses an unusual combination of comedy, energy, and religion (mostly energy and comedy…) to engage the audience. Reverend Billy and his Stopping Shopping Choir travel across the country using words such as “shopocalypse” and visiting people’s homes, churches, malls, department stores, and theme parks. They perform highly energetic demonstrations that appear religious, but are exaggerated to a point that it is comedic.
4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational? Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
The film draws out the economic problems that result from consumer debt and from large companies forcing smaller companies out of business. Further, it describes the behavioral problems that people have essentially become addicted to shopping. For example, the film uses the frantic shopping and injuries that occur on Black Friday as an example of this addiction to over consumption. People seem to lose common sense in situations like Black Friday. Additionally, the film describes the cultural, social pressures, which are mediated by technology, media, and advertising that are causing people to buy items in greater quantity and items that are more expensive beyond that point at which they can afford it.
5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
The part of the film that I found most persuasive was its description of how people act as though they are addicted to shopping and spend money to the point that they are in extreme debt. In particular, the film blames the widespread use of credit cards and how easy it is for people to spend more money than they have with them. On top of this, the interest that people must pay on this money is very high. This was particularly compelling because the film makes it seem silly that so many people are unable to control themselves.
6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
I was not compelled by the films argument that large companies are hurting poor people working for them in other countries. While they are paid low wages, it is difficult to compare the wages in poor countries to wages in the United States because there is such a significant difference in the amount a dollar can buy. Further, it is likely that the factory workers would be worse off if they did not have a job in the factor. I think the film could have been more persuasive if it had argued that large companies are forcing the poor people to become reliant on the presence of the factory.
7. What audiences does the film best address? Why?
The film best addresses people from small rural towns because they are most likely be religious and to agree with the viewpoints of Billy and his choir. However, the film’s use of comedy significantly expands the audience beyond people are religious. Religion is generally considered a very serious topic, but Billy and his choir take a much more relaxed view of religion and even go the point of poking fun at certain aspects of preachers and church (although this may differ from person to person).
8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
While the film extensively describes the economic, social, and cultural problems that cause and are a result of consumerism, it does not take advantage of the sustainability problems associated with over consumption. The film focuses solely on personal and humanitarian benefits of stopping shopping, but is missing the argument that over-consumption also increases pollution, global warming, and resource scarcity.
9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.
The film itself represents that actions that it suggests must be taken stop over consumption, consumer debt, and large corporations pay workers low wages. It suggests that spreading awareness of these issues will begin to change the way people think about consumerism and will eventually lead to changes in consumer behavior. Specifically, it suggests that this can be done in a way that is funny and engaging while conveying a serious message.
10. What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.)
When the film mentioned that some countries have made it illegal to direct advertising to children under age 12, I wanted to confirm this and learn more about where it has been implemented. The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) has an article called, “Children and Advertising,” that describes the views that various European countries have on advertising directed towards children. Interestingly, while most European countries have some level of regulation, it varies significantly between countries. For example, Sweden has banned all advertisements aimed at children under age 12. In other countries, the regulations vary from limiting what types of advertising is directed to children to the idea that restricting advertising limits democracy and does not prepare children for a consumer society.
Additionally, while I knew the general magnitude of wealth inequality in the Unites States, the film compelled me to learn more about what people think the extent of wealth inequality is in the United States. I found a video made by politizane called, “Wealth Inequality in America.” Not only does it show the true extent of wealth inequality, it also shows how inaccurate America’s perceive this inequality to be.
Bibliography:
“Children and Advertising: The European Dimension.” Peace Pledge Union. <http://www.ppu.org.uk/chidren/advertising_toys_eu.html>.
politizane. “Wealth Inequality in America.” Youtube. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM>.